Boy, he really makes it sound like he actually likes old ships. I know it is just marketing spin but he certainly doesn't need to say that.

Then again, maybe he just means "finding someone silly enough to pay our price for an old ship"...

Joe at TravelPage.com

[ 06-04-2007: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

quote:

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
In the release Veitch says "The timing of Marco Polo's departure always revolved around finding a good next owner, and I am pleased to say we have found one."

Boy, he really makes it sound like he actually likes old ships. I know it is just marketing spin but he certainly doesn't need to say that.

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Definitely some preventative damage control after the NORWAY debacle!

So, any guesses on who the buyer is? Saga, Louis, one of the Spanish lines?

Rich

[ 06-04-2007: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

quote:

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
In the release Veitch says "The timing of Marco Polo's departure always revolved around finding a good next owner, and I am pleased to say we have found one."

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He would have equally sold her to a bad next owner too!

Maybe it was a BOGOF (buy one get one free) type deal and NCL threw in the SS United States for good measure?

Olsen and Saga are probably unlikely as they have already expanded their respective fleets.

[ 06-04-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Until recent years Swan Hellenic always chartered
in older ships for their cruises.

The older passengers they carry did not seem to want the glitz of the modern super liners.

quote:

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Originally posted by Linerrich:
Question: Does anybody know if MARCO POLO is 2010 SOLAS-compliant?

Rich

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Rich,

it will only take about $3 million to make her SOLAS compliant.

I've been told by a reliable source, but have not confirmed, that the ship was sold to Discovery.

One more classic ship in their fleet... Could be a nice addition. But is only speculation!

Karsten

oops, it was posted earlier ... Sorry, I saw it too late.

[ 06-04-2007: Message edited by: Karsten ]

[ 06-04-2007: Message edited by: Karsten ]

quote:

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Originally posted by PamM:
Discovery or All Leisure?. Which would certainly tie in with their AIM listing.

Pam

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Hi Pam,

All Leisure - Discovery World/Voyages of Disscovery. The AIM lisiting and this sale are an interesting coincidence - or perhaps not.

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim in 'Lauderdale:

Rich,

it will only take about $3 million to make her SOLAS compliant.

Tim

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...we are selling her because we want to concertrate on our newer ships such as those of NCLA which have an extremely un-loyal following of dissapointed past customers.

[ 06-05-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jekyll:
As soon as I read this - I thought DWC would be the company that pick her up. makes sense...will be interesting to see if it's true

The only challenge is that they are also bringing onboard the original Minerva (if that plan is still a go) - so three rather different ships - makes it hard to brand efffectively - we'll have to see.

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Jekyll,

if DWC/VOD has indeed acquired MP, they might very well sub-charter Explorer II (ex-Minerva) to Lord Sterling as he has expressed an interest in chartering the ship from them.

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I toured the Marco Polo a few years ago. Although very charming, I was surprised that she is so much more beautiful on the outside than on the inside. She looked well worn and had rather dull-decor in my opinion, compared to Olsen's ship for example.

However, it was nothing that a good refit could not put right.

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Malcolm, as you said: 'a few years ago'.
I visited her last year August and she looked very pretty. Meanwhile she had a refurbishing during the winter and she looks even better.

quote:

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Originally posted by Willem:
I visited her last year August and she looked very pretty.[/URL]

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Good to hear Willem. I was not aware that she a refit.